Most BANG for the buck?

[7/24soccer]

Has anybody figured out where to dine that puts the DDP to work the best? In other words - where are the most expensive TS meals that accept 1 credit?

 

[beroh2253]

Best in my opinion Le Cellier

 

[Milobaby]

http://www.mousesavers.com/diningplantips2007.html

 

[aubriee]

I just returned from a solo trip to WDW using the DDP. I think I made some good choices for the DDP (even though I wasn't necessarily looking for the best deal).


The restaurants I ate at, what I ate, and what their totals would have been follows:

TS
LeCellier- Chocolate raspberry shake, Duck Two ways, Mushroom Filet, Sorbet duo- $62.58

Cape May-buffet- $32.36

Kona- Raspberry Smoothie, Duck Pot Stickers, Macadamia Mahi Mahi, Banana Cream Brulee--$46.40

Spoodles--bottled water, Lemon Garlic Shrimp, Red Snapper, chocolate Apricot Cake--$55.32

Wolfgang Pucks-Mango tea, Artichoke Dip, Wolf's Steak, Key Lime Pie--$61.40

Turf Club--Blackberry lemonade, Calamari, Steak with crab topping, Hot apple Pie with ice cream--$52.24

Chef's de France (lunch)--coke, escargo, salmon, rhubarb/blueberry clofoutis and sorbet--$45.94

Rose & Crown--coke, fruit & cheese plate, pork loin, fresh berry scone--$48.76

CS-
La Kringla Bakeri--Salmon S/W, leek soup, rice cream, lg coke--$14.34

WGP Express--Linguine Chicken Bolognese, Creme Brulee, mango tea--$17.95

Pepper Market--coke, rib eye steak with veggies, 3 dessert selection (brownie, churro, plus a chocolate chip cookie)--$28.37

Starring Rolls Cafe--med soda, black ham S/W with chips, banana parfait--$11.90

Tusker House--coke, 1/2 Rotisserie chicken with veggies, chocolate cake--$14.88

WGP Express (breakfast)--grapefruit juice, cornflake French toast--$11.13

Earl of Sandwich (food for airport)--coke, Original S/W, bag of chips--$10.07

All Star Food Court--taco salad, bottle of water, crumb cake--$12.61

I also spent $31.79 in snack credits--Figaro Fries, Doh Bar (fried Snickers), two Mint chocolate smoothie candy slabs, Caramel ice cream sundae, Haystack, Peanut butter fudge, and caramel chocolate fudge.

In other words, I spent $311.82 for the dining plan and had $496.64 worth of food (and tips) covered. I think it was worth it and I loved knowing everything was already paid for before I left home. This was just for one person. Imagine if I had been traveling with a family group. Sure I wasted alot of food and sure I could have eaten cheaper, but I sure had fun splurging on whatever I happened to be in the mood for.

 

[Brygida]

Has anybody figured out where to dine that puts the DDP to work the best? In other words - where are the most expensive TS meals that accept 1 credit?

One of the most expensive TS meals for 1 credit is Raglan Road. It also tops my 2007 favorite restaurant at WDW list. Teppanyaki in Japan in EPCOT ranked 2nd most expensive last time I used the DDP.

To answer your question generally, the fixed price character breakfasts have the least value, followed by fixed price buffet lunches/dinners. If you avoid those, you will usually get great value for the money! (An appetizer, drink, entree, and dessert will always be more at a non-fixed price restaurant).

You may also find that paying OOP for a fixed price meal may cost less if you choose to do a 2 credit restaurant (which tend to run at least as expensive as Raglan Road).

 

[KKB]

I am always about getting the best value...

I orginally was NOT going to do DDP...I knew I could certainly feed a family of 5 for less than $140/day! But then I realized at WDW prices that would be challenging--requiring lots of CS, shared meals, kids meals & eating in the room. And I still wasn't sure we could get by for MUCH less.

Luckily DM said, spend it & ENJOY...so we are!

I orginally looked at the "best bang for the buck" list...and ironically we have ressies at 4 of the top 6! But not because of the list. I looked at recommendations on these boards, then I scoured the menus at allears. The menus were the clincher for me. DM & I are foodies, as is DD. DH & DS12 could eat CS all day...DS7 would, too, but will try lots of things.

I love that we will sit down & relax as a family each day...good to pace over a week. I LOVE that I can order WHATEVER I want, not look at prices as I usually do. I LOVE that I don't have to say NO to the kids when they want the most expensive item...appetizers...desserts....fancy drinks!!

I recommend looking at menus & what appeals to you. Citricos gets a lot of good reviews, but frankly nothing on the menu stood out to me. So DM & I are doing Narcoosees for seafood. (DH & I have a night out too)

Good luck--this has been TOO much fun for me!

 

[keishashadow]

Agree with the posts as to "eat what you want" NOT "try & eat the most expensive food" ....quality over quantity.

We've enjoyed Spoodles (at least when they still had a steak on the menu); Coral Reef, LeCellier, Crystal Palace & Chef Mickeys...all have their charms.

What i like about the DP is once i pay for it, i could care less what anyone orders - nor do i need to stress about a huge, unexpected bill - priceless.

 

[ronandannette]

I'm not sure about the "Ultimate" bang for the buck, but our highest bill tallied $133.00 USD for 3 at the Sci Fi Dine Inn and boy, would I have been if we'd paid OOP for it (worst meal of the trip).

IMO, the DDP is excellent value for the dollar no matter where you eat. I'm sure that it would have cost us in excess of $200.00 UDS/day for two full meals and the necessary snacks. It also made the holiday much more comfortable psychologically since we usually cruise and are unaccustomed to having to pull the wallet out so many times a day...

Annette

 

[mkycrzy1971]

Our most expensive meal was Maya (combo platter...not sure of the name of it...$30) ...the meal was FABULOUS and not busy at all (6:45pm ADR)...our plates contained small fillet, fish of the day, and BBQ ribs along with some sides...all very good. Not as themed as some WDW TS restraunts, but still worth the trip for good, quality food IMO.

Next was Whispering Canyon...WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS!!! Service could have been better, but I think it was the server, not the entire place.

Hear great things about LeCellier...never tried it but going to make it a "definate" next trip.